Do you have the pollens? Do you need to sneeze? Now that you have that earworm in your head for the day — thanks, Elsa, and “Frozen!” — let’s get to the latest TVO Roundup of local happenings and finishes.
Spring is finally here in full force. We have chilly mornings followed by windy afternoons of a yellow pollen haze, frost warnings at night, 30-mph gusts, sunburn, transition jackets, tights, thin gloves, no shirt and sweat, rain, mud, possible to’naders and it’s not even April yet. It’s a perfect month to be outside!
Be sure to check out our calendar to see what’s coming soon, too. We’ll update as needed.
Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker
OLD FORT, N.C. — Martin Schneekloth of Huntsville and Tony Aluia of New Market were among the 97 finishers in the weather-whipped and challenging Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50-miler on Saturday.
Schneekloth finished in 13:36:21 and 43rd place. Aluia wasn’t far behind, finishing 46th in 13:58:56.
Tim Nooney of North Carolina won in 8:43. Nathan Holland of Signal Mountain, Tenn., was second in 9:27:51. Katti Jackson of North Carolina won the women’s title, finishing third overall in 10:27:23.
The 50-mile field climbed three 6,000-foot peaks including Mount Mitchell. The 50K event does two climbs, but not Mount Mitchell. Runners battled high wind, rain and fog along the routes.
See all of the results of the Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker here.
Visit Tuscaloosa Half-Marathon
TUSCALOOSA — West Brininger of Huntsville led the local crew at the Visit Tuscaloosa Half-Marathon on March 23, finishing 34th in 1:32.
Other local runners in the Top 50 include Joshua Washington of Meridianville (40th, 1:34:06) and Averiel Brininger of Huntsville (46th, 1:34:39).
See all of the results of the Visit Tuscaloosa Half-Marathon here.
Wild Irish 10K
GUNTERSVILLE — Will Chaplow of Gurley won the 46th annual Wild Irish Run 10K on March 16 by almost two minutes, finishing in 39:02.
Rachel Joffrion of Huntsville won the women’s title and was ninth overall. She finished in 45:48.
The event is one of the oldest runs in Alabama. According to organizers, it began in 1979 as the Lake Guntersville 10,000 hosted by the Lake Guntersville Track Club. The course was sanctioned in 1980 by the Road Runners Club of America with .2 mile added to become an official 10K course. It was held on Saint Patrick’s Day in 1984 and subtitled the “1984 Saint Patrick’s Wild Irish Run,” and the “Wild Irish Run” name stuck.
See all of the Wild Irish Run results here.
Bad Kitty 10K
FLORENCE — Tim Partain of Nettleton, Miss., and Hillary Coats of Florence won the men’s and women’s titles at the Bad Kitty 10K on March 16.
Partain won by about a minute in 32:57, while Coats was eighth overall and finished in 56:14.
The Bad Kitty is part of the Heritage Area Hustle Race Series that includes the Artsy Fartsy (5k and 1-mile fun run, June 22) and the Shady Lady (5k, 10k, and Half Marathon, Oct. 26). They are organized by the non-profit Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, a National Park Service-funded program housed at the University of North Alabama. Proceeds help support trail development and other programs.
See all of the Bad Kitty 10K results here and 5K results here.
Saint Ann Superhero 5K
DECATUR — Elizabeth Fagen of Huntsville won the Saint Ann Superhero 5K on March 16 in 29:20.
Aiden Cai of Decatur was second in 30:08, and Isabella Sanchez of Trinity was third in 30:20.
See all of the Superhero 5K results here.
GraduRUN 5K
RINGGOLD, Ga. — Andrew O’Neill won the 26th GraduRUN 5K on March 16 in a speedy time of 17:28.
Trip McCallie was second in 18:49 and Alex Quinn third in 19:12.
Sarah Norman won the women’s title and was fourth overall in 19:15. She clipped Helen Webb by seconds, with Webb crossing in 19:39 for second. Alex Weldon was third (13th) in 21:13.
See all of the GraduRUN 5K results here.
Dash for DS
CHATTANOOGA — Taylor Cardin won the Dash for DS on March 23 with a time of 21:09.
Pricilla Westfield won the womens’ title in 24:21 and was fifth overall.
See all of the Dash for DS results here.
TVO Calendar of Upcoming Events
Upcoming running, biking, tri and other events in the Tennessee Valley Outsider footprint:
MARCH
March 30: Pill Hill 10k, Huntsville, the return of a Rocket City classic with challenging hills, benefiting the HPD Citizens Foundation Fund. Register here
March 30: Market on the Square 5k, Scottsboro, awards for top finishers. Register here
March 30: RCR River City Run, options for 10K, 5K, 10/5 double, and Fun Run. Register here
March 30: Mountaineer Miles 10K-5K, Maryville, Tenn., benefitting the Heritage High football team. Register here
March 30: Tennessee Smokies 5K, Kodak, Tenn., with 5K runners rounding the bases on the field to finish the race. Register here
March 31: CKSDA Church 5K, Ooltewah, Tenn., fundraiser for the Collegedale Korean SDA church. Register here
APRIL
April 2: Hudson Alpha Double Helix Dash 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, Huntsville, benefitting childhood genetic disorders, at the cool double helix at Hudson Alpha Institute. This event is on a Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. (take note). Register here
April 6: Bridge Street 5K presented by SportsMED, Huntsville, fast course routes through Cummings Research Park. Register here
April 6: Shamrock 5K, Huntsville, Big Spring Park. Register here
April 6: Pirate Half, 10k and 5k, Knoxville at Holston River Park. Register here
April 6-7: Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Weekend, Knoxville, with marathon, half, relays and other option. Register here
April 7: Bridge Street Half Marathon presented by SportsMED, Huntsville, fast course routes through Cummings Research Park. Register here
April 13-14: HAMR Biking Spring Skills Clinics weekend, Huntsville, Monte Sano State Park, PMBIA Level 1 Instructors provide advice for beginners (April 13) and intermediate (April 14) riders. Registration required, fees. Register here
April 13: Devil’s Racetrack Backyard Ultra, Huntsville, Wade Mountain Preserve. Runners do 4+-mile loops on rugged trails until one person remains to win. Register here
April 13: HTPG-Rheem Superhero 5K, Scottsboro, benefitting the Jackson County Children’s Advocacy Center. Register here
April 13: Fall Creek Falls 50K and Half Marathon trail runs, Spencer, Tenn. Popular events on challenging, scenic course at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Register here
April 13: Salmon Run 5K, Huntsville at Big Spring Park, proceeds benefit Russell Hill Cancer Foundation and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Register here
April 13: First Priority 5K & Fun Run, Decatur, to benefit the First Priority / Clothe Our Kids ministries. Register here
April 14: 4th annual HBCU Stem Education 5K and 1-Mile fun run/walk, Huntsville, Big Spring Park, awards, discount coupons and more. Register here
April 19: Tri Nooga Spring 70.3 triathlon, Chattanooga. Register here
April 20: Cookie Dash 5K and Fun Run, Huntsville, Hampton Cove Middle School, certified course great for PR or state age record. Register here
April 20: Firehawk 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, Pulaski, Tenn., benefit for UT Southern track-field-xcountry teams. Register here
April 20: Kilby Cub Cash 5K and Fun Run, Florence. Register here
April 27: National Cornbread Festival 5K, South Pittsburg, Tenn. Register here
April 27: 20th annual Swampers 5K and 1-Mile Run/Walk, Muscle Shoals, benefit the Shoals Civic League. Register here
April 27: David McKannan Memorial 5K and Fun Run, Huntsville, Ditto Landing along the Tennessee River, put on by the Huntsville Track Club. Register here
April 27: Team Rocket Heel & Crank Duathlon, Mooresville, Ala., popular event with 3-mile run, 16-mile bike and 3-mile run. Fat Tire, Relay and other options available. Register here
April 27: Redstone Arsenal 25K Trail Run, Huntsville at RSA, inaugural event, runners will compete on Weeden and Madkin mountains, awards, time cutoff, must have official access to Redstone Arsenal. Register here
April 27: Arbor Day 5K and 3K Sapling Run, Huntsville Botanical Garden, easy routes on gravel paths through the gardens. Register here
MAY
May 4: The Grab Bag, Chattanooga, Awesomesauce event with Half, 10K, 5K and Fun Run options. Register here
May 4: Taco Trot 5K Night Run, Guntersville, to benefit Family Services of North Alabama. Register here
May 4: Dan Robinson Memorial 10K, 5K and Fun Run, Grant, Ala., to benefit Grant Playground and Recreation Association. Register here
May 11: Inspire Life 5K, Scottsboro, benefit for Turning Point organization providing information and assistance for unplanned pregnancies. Register here
May 11: Smokerise Trail Run, Huntsville, Half and 10K options, Land Trust of North Alabama Blevins Gap Preserve. Challenging trails with rocks-roots and 950+ feet of incline. Register here
May 26: Goose Pond Island Half Iron & Frantic Frog Sprint Triathlons, Scottsboro at Goose Pond Colony, multiple options to participate. Register here
May 27: 45th Cotton Row Run, Huntsville, one of the Southeast’s oldest events, 10K-5K-1mile options. Register here
JUNE
June 1: Eurocross 8K and 5K, Huntsville, combo of steeplechase and cross country, UAH campus. Register here
June 8: 24th annual Wet Dog Triathlon, Decatur, at Point Mallard. Relay options available. Register here
June 15: Wild Thangs Trail Series Bigfoot 10K and 5K, Monte Sano State Park. Part of the 4-event long and short summer series. Register here
To have your events or results included in the TVO Roundup, contact us at info@thetvo.com
